The Compleat Angler

There were no boats on the venue Nick, not even locked in a boathouse etc. It was always amusing to read though, bit like those signs that say “Ears pierced while you wait!” 😂😉

I think although some rules seem silly or irritating, if I trully want to fish that water, I have to accept and respect the rules. As for somebody pre baiting, good luck to them but, that doesn’t give anybody rights in that swim, and when I arrive on a water, I just evaluate the current situation, and choose my swim and fish it with a clear conscience. I was in a club a few years ago, and one of the rules stated: “Strictly no bait boats or rowing boats, to be used on this venue but, if using a boat, a life jacket must be worn”??? 😂

When I first started carp fishing, we used landing nets, the big knotted mesh type, which makes me shudder now when I look back but, I don't remember our fish having injury inflicted as a consequence? Nowadays we have the luxury, albeit paid for luxury of safe tackle and kit. How far should we be taking the safety aspect though? It’s alright advocating that fish, especially big fish shouldn’t be lifted from the water in a landing net, yet holding that same fish up for the photos, with wet but often warm hands is fine? I’ve never heard so much utter nonsense in all my angling life, which is a long time. If any of us cared that much about the welfare of a carp, we wouldn’t fish for them, it really is as simple as that. Sure, treat the fish with care and respect, that goes without saying but, let’s not take the Florence Nightingale element too far. I hear so many people say they have the fish’s welfare in mind, first and foremost, is that so the fish will live longer, and grow bigger, so that we can all put them through all the stress and trauma all over again, when we catch them again at a later date? The reality is, the fish are there, because people fish for them, just as cows, sheep and pigs are there because humans eat them. You don’t get farmers keeping livestock for pets, the same goes for water owners and fish. Treat the fish you catch with care and as much respect as possible, taking into consideration that you’ve orchestrated putting a hook into it’s lip, and proceeded to pull it towards where you’re pitched up, or positioned in a boat, all ready to subject it to further stress and trauma. Sometimes the truth hurts, often much more than a soft meshed, wet landing net. 😉

I think it would depend a lot on the merit of the capture mate? Some river carp are easy to catch, and some stillwater carp can prove very difficult or elusive, and of course vice versa. Also, I know of many escapee carp that were very hard earned when they were in their native stillwaters yet, often caught regularly once they’d migrated to rivers and canals.

There’s all sorts in there, many years ago I saw a few fish in there that would be classed as very big even nowadays. We had a couple of secret places to fish, including somebody’s garden but, lost permission because of other people’s selfishness. Lot’s of anticipation with rivers though 👍🏻

I don’t doubt that for a second mate. 😉

Nick will have done a lot of research before angling for that fish, and ear bending, that’s his way. It’s not actually a Thames record but, probably the less said about that, the better.😉 I know there are now some very upset regular Thames carp anglers, especially on that stretch, because of the publicising etc. Just as there was when Katch Bullet and previous captors leaked it. Amazing fish though, and congrats to Nick on the capture 👍🏻

Lovely bloke and great angler, and another superb video 👍🏻 I think having time on the bank, is a big factor in success, although I can’t think of another angler that makes better use of their time than Terry.

That’s right mate, it has removable double duvets, I have the extra underlay with mine, and I find it very warm and comfortable. The newer version has improved lumbar support.

A lot depends on the venue and fish behaviour but, I never re bait, or re cast at first light, unless I’ve just had a take. Even if I’m awake first light, I don’t touch anything until around mid morning. First light can be bite time on the majority of venues, so leaving the bait and rigs that have been out all night well alone has always served me well. In fact, on many waters I leave everything alone, sometimes for over 24 hours.

Yes me too Nick, because it’s boxed though, it doesn’t seem to suffer any ill effect 👍🏻

Yeah, at one time, I used to see it in most shops but, the last couple of times I’ve bought it the boxes have had a layer of dust on them, from two different shops lol!

That’s pretty much my story too mate, every so often I might try something that’s been recommended but, always revert to the GR60. The GR60 doesn’t seem as readily available as it used to be though? I’m not a fan of braid or fluoro, so I do appreciate a decent mono. 👍🏻

GR60 Has served me well for a good few years, I dabbled with the ESP Syncro Loaded XT for a change, and found it pretty good but, not as abrasion resistant as the GR60 in the same breaking strain.

Yes it is mate, just like any other competetive business, the smaller companies want in with a slice of the pie, and the established big hitters want to protect their livelihoods and success.

Tbh mate, It confirms what many already knew. Also, the stuff he apparently sold out of the back of a bivvy years ago, won’t have been in the Geoff Bowers league. 😉

I have the Korda and Wychwood crimping pliers, I prefer the Wychwood, as the jaw width is narrower, and doesn’t crimp the ends of the crimps, which can and does sometimes cause cutting. I like the crimps as they allow very short lengths to be looped, which can prove tricky with knots. My rigs are a mixture of tied and crimped, and I have no issues. The secret with crimping, is to use the smallest diameter crimp possible for the material you’re crimping. I also use a fly tying vice for tying up, or crimping rigs, it makes the job much easier, especially the intricate stuff. 👍🏻

I would imagine, from what I’ve been told there are quite a few cash deals done with his bait, so the figures stated on the program, are only what atually goes through the books? If the bait is doing as well as he claims, the growth should be a natural progression, and should sustain and grow as a result of the demand, unless he’s not doing the sums properly? A few of the top boys started out making a bit of bait, and then selling to mates etc, then word gets out, and things expand, sometimes beyond their dreams. Successful business relies on a good product, and good sales, word of mouth, hard graft and a slice of good luck. Who remembers Danny Fairbrass selling a few leads out the back of a van back in the day? Hasn’t done bad has he? 😉

Yes mate, Geoff’s pedigree is very impressive to say the least. There are plenty of good baits, and bait makers out there now, and the bar is set quite high, maybe too high for some? With respect to Terry, there have been better baits and companies than Urban that have failed or folded. So I do wish him luck.

I thought it was the recipes that came from Geoff Bowers?

Tel drew a blank, maybe the dragons saw the video on the Urban site, with Terry and Jim? When explaining about good bait, Tel says that once his bait is in the carp’s “stomach” they feel good and know it’s good! 😂😂😂 Shouldn’t a bait expert know that carp don’t have stomachs? 🤣🤣

It’s Terry Dempsey apparently (Urban Bait)

Used Solar Quiver Locks for years, they were so versatile covering many situations. They were looking a bit tired, so I bought the Solar Titaniums, which are a more updated Quiver Lock, I really rate them, as I can fish my lines piano wire tight, right down to the other end of the scale being very slack. I bought the longer versions, as I think the shorter ones are more limited in function. Anyway, they do me fine.

Yes mate, when the temps are normal, September seems to throw up some perfect text book conditions, and I think after all the heat, the fish will finally get their heads down. Here’s hoping! 👍🏻

September is my favourite time for carp fishing, the fish seem to feed more readily and are usually in superb condition, and very nice colours. Some are saying the heat is going to return but, if not, I think September will be very rewarding for many. If the fish start going on the feed, you can start upping the loose feed, and take it from there. I have had many red letter days from September onwards.